Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation Richard Bruton TD, today, welcomed the news that IBM is to create several hundred new jobs, with the opening of a new Global Services Integration Hub, in Mulhuddart, Dublin 15.

IBM Corporation is one of the leading information technology companies in the world providing a diversified line of computer hardware equipment, software and cloud computing applications, technology services and global business services. The company employs c. 433,000 people globally and had revenues of $106.9 billion for the financial year ending December 2011.

IBM Ireland currently employs in excess of 3,000 people in Ireland and its current business activities include research, software development and services at its technology campus in Mulhuddart, together with locations in Cork and Galway. A European Sales and Services Support Centre is based in Blanchardstown, Dublin.

Minister Bruton met senior IBM executives along with the IDA on a recent trip to the USA.

Welcoming the creation of the Hub, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said, ‘This investment by IBM is most welcome news for Ireland. The decision by IBM to locate a Global Services Integration Hub in Ireland follows on from a significant number of FDI announcements in recent months from world-leading multinational companies which proves the value of economic stability in attracting new investment. It also demonstrates the value of Ireland's position in Europe when it comes to our ability to attract overseas investment. This investment shows IBM’s continued commitment to its Irish operations and staff. I would like to offer IBM every success with this expansion and offer the continued support of the Irish Government into the future.’

Commenting on the creation of the Hub , Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, Richard Bruton TD said, “Central to this Government’s plan for jobs and growth is developing and deepening the impact of major foreign companies here, and targeting sectors such as technology where we have developed major strengths over recent decades. In recent months we have seen some major successes in attracting new investment from multinationals.

This decision by IBM, one of the world’s leading technology companies, that it is locating more innovative operations here with the creation several hundred jobs, is great news for west Dublin and Ireland”.

“This investment shows what is possible for a strong stable Ireland at the heart of Europe, and we are determined to work hard to secure further great investments like this across the country over the coming years”.

CEO of IDA Ireland, Barry O’Leary said, ‘Ireland was chosen as the location for this investment based on the strong partnership with the country, its accessibility and connectivity, established industry clusters, and the infrastructure that the country has to offer.’

‘I would like to congratulate the IBM team here in Ireland for their strong record in continuing to secure investments from their parent company; their commitment has led to IBM locating the Global Services Integration Hub in Ireland which will employ several hundred service professionals. This investment by IBM further adds to the strong flow of investments from global players in the ICT sector in recent months including Apple, Cisco, SAP, Microsoft and HP.’